Seeing another perspective

CoxHealth's second Multicultural and
Inclusion Day focuses on frank discussion and cultivating empathy.

At the end of the 2018
Multicultural and Inclusion Day, Regina Bradford says one thing is clear: This
is something everyone needs to see.

Bradford, who works at
the Branson West Clinic, says she was surprised at the way the event tackled
sensitive issues – around race, sexuality and religion – head-on.

Attendees began the day
watching a skit featuring a black man and a white woman in a break room. The
topic of conversation was Civil War memorials. It’s an issue people have strong
opinions about, which made it the perfect opportunity to consider an opposing
viewpoint. After the skit, the discussion opened up to the room.

“This was very honest,”
Bradford says. “Usually, no one wants to offend anyone, so you skim over the surface.
I loved that they got down to the nitty-gritty immediately.”

The discussion forced
everyone to consider an alternative viewpoint, and put themselves in someone
else’s shoes.

“People make it seem
like things are black and white: you’re biased or you’re not biased. It’s not
that simple,” Bradford says. “I thought I was open-minded, but there are a lot
of times when I didn’t see things from someone else’s point of view.”

Now in its second year,
the Multicultural and Inclusion Day is designed to build empathy and increase
understanding, which makes all of us better caregivers.

“CoxHealth
is a team and we must treat each other with respect, regardless of what our
differences and backgrounds may be,” says Christina Hofmeister, international
talent coordinator in Nursing Administration. “In health care, we have to be
inclusive and understanding of everyone we come in contact with, whether it is
our patients, our colleagues, or someone we meet at the grocery store.”

Kelsey
Bagwill, patient experience consultant, says a yearlong experience with
AmeriCorps in Boston-area schools had inspired her interest in diversity and
inclusion.

“I was so excited to see
CoxHealth do this. We have less diversity than in Boston, which is neither good
nor bad, it just is,” she says. “People take things for granted and don’t
always think about other viewpoints, not because they don’t want to but because
they haven’t had to.”

Group exercises
illustrated the advantages and disadvantages people face. One called for
participants to stand side-by-side on a line. Each had an assigned identity and
organizers called out circumstances – like family resources or accidents – that
could cause them to move forward or backward.

“It showed how different
circumstances can put you far ahead or behind,” Bradford says.

“Now, I back up and try
not to second guess what’s going on in someone’s life. Don’t assume you know
what’s going on.”

The event also included
panel discussions on topics ranging from religion to culture and clinical care.

“I
appreciated everyone who sat in front and told us what they faced, based on
their religion, race or lifestyle,” Bradford says. “That took guts and it made
it personal. They want to make it better for the next person.”

Bagwill says the day
made it clear we all need to take time to understand one another.

“It never hurts to ask
people how they prefer to be respected – what they want to be called, how they
want to be touched and treated,” she says.

Considering
a new perspective goes far beyond the sometimes loaded words of
multiculturalism or diversity.

“Ultimately, this is about considering other people and
relating to them better.”